Island



W. WILD-PRETT.

(No Model.)

LADDER.

' Patented Jan. 26, 1897 INYENIUH.

WITNESS-E5;

. UNIT D IAT-ENT WVILLIAM WVILDPRE'DT, 0F PRQVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

L'ADIDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of LettersZPatentfNOfB75,866,1dated lanuary26pl897.

Application filed July 3, 1896. "Serial No. 597,959. (No model)" To allwhom, it ma, concern.-

Be it known that I,'WILLIAM WILDPRETT, of Providence, in the county ofProvidence and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Ladders; and I hereby declare that the followingis a full, clear, and exact'description of the same, reference being hadto the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

This invention has reference to improvements in ladders, andparticularly to ladders which are-adapted to be mounted on tracks.

The object of the invention is to so constru ct a ladder for store andsimilar service that it can be shifted about with the least possibleobstruction to the passage through which it moves.

Another object of the invention is to provide a readily-movable ladderwhich may be turned out of the way when not in use.

Still another object of the invention is to improve the construction ofladders for store and similar service.

The invention consists of ways or tracks, carriages mounted on the ways,and a ladder pivotally connected with the carriages.

The invention also consists in such other novel features of constructionand combination of parts as shall hereinafter be more fully described,and pointed out in the claims.

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of the improved ladder shown incombination with it's carriages and the ways for the same. Fig. 2represents an enlarged view of the pivoting device at the upper end ofthe ladder, Fig. 3 representing asimilar view of the pivoting deviceatthe lower portion of the ladder with the carriage or wheel to whichthe ladder is pivoted.

Similarnumbers of reference designate corresponding parts throughout.

Ladders of this nature are particularly adapted for use in stores,behind counters, or

where it is necessary that the upper portion of the apartment be reachedfrom time to time. In order that these ladders may be moved the morereadily, it has been the custom to attach the ladder to a wheel orcarriage mounted to travel on a fixed support by which the main weightof the ladder was sustained in transit and by which the-ladder was heldin the upright position when'in use.

In carryingmy invention into practice I secure a ladder to itssupporting-carriage in such manner that the ladder may be turned in themost convenient position for use in transit or when out of use.

In the drawings the ways or tracks 5 and 6 represent any usual device onwhich laddersupporting carriages may travel. In some cases but one trackis used, but the number, location, or construction of the tracks or waysis immaterial. On the track 5 are mounted the Wheels '7 and 8, rotatableon axles 0r shafts which are fixed in the plate 9, having the U- shapedmembers 1O 10, which prevent the undue tipping of the plate and wheelson the rail,and the outwardly-bent portion 1 1. This plate 9 is alsofurnished with the depending stirrup 12, the outwardly-extending arm 13,suitably braced, and with the catch 14.

To the upper end'of the ladder side 151s secured the fitting 16, whichis pivoted to the stirrup 12 by the pivot 17, and to the upper end ofthe ladder side 15' is fastened the stud 18, which is adapted to beengaged and supported by the outer end of the arm 13 when the ladder isin position for use, or which may be engaged and held by the catch 14when the ladder is swung back out of such position, as is indicated bydotted lines in the drawings.

At the lower end the ladder is mounted on wheels which assist insupporting the ladder.

In thedrawings the wheel 19 is journaled in a frame 20, fixed to theouter side 15 of the ladder, while the wheel 21, traversable on the rail6, is journaled in the frame 22, which is pivotally secured by the pivot23 to the frame 24, fastened to the lower end of the ladder side 15.

Reference to the drawingswill readily suggest the manner in which theladder is operated. When in use, the ladder occupies the position shownin full lines and when in this position may be traversed along therails. It is, however, preferred to fold the ladder back, as indicatedin dotted lines, when the same is to be moved, as in this position theladder occupies but little space in the transit and can readily be swunginto position when the desired point is reached. \Vhen notin use, thepreferable position is, of course, that shown in dotted lines.

Having thus "described my invention, I

claim as new and v desire to secureby Letters":

Patent 1. The combination with a carriage having an outwardly-extendingarm, and a latching or holding device, of a ladder pivotally connectedwith the carriage and furnished With a portion adapted to bean-againstthe carriage-arm when the ladder is in a position for use and to beengaged and held bythe holding device When the ladder isibrought intoposition therefor.

2. The combination With an upper and a lower track, and carriagesmounted to travel Vitnesses:

JQSEPH A. MILLER, J r., M. F. BLIGH. H

